Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for controlling ventricular assist devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes receiving at least one reference pump speed differential associated with a pump of a ventricular assist device; determining a filtered pump speed differential associated with the pump of a ventricular assist device; and adjusting, using a feedback based controller algorithm, current to the pump based on the at least one reference pump speed differential and the filtered pump speed differential.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for controlling ventricular assist devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes receiving at least one reference pump speed differential associated with a pump of a ventricular assist device; determining a filtered pump speed differential associated with the pump of a ventricular assist device; and adjusting, using a feedback based controller algorithm, current to the pump based on the at least one reference pump speed differential and the filtered pump speed differential.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing cavopulmonary support to a subject are provided that include and make use of a first inflatable extravascular cuff configured to be placed around a superior vena cava in the subject and a second inflatable extravascular cuff configured to be placed around an inferior vena cava in the subject. The system further includes a pump that is operably connected to both the first inflatable extravascular cuff and the second inflatable extravascular cuff, as well as a controller that is in communication with the pump. The controller receives one or more user-defined parameters and, in response to the user-defined parameters, independently controls the inflation and deflation of the first inflatable extravascular cuff and the second inflatable extravascular cuff to provide cavopulmonary support.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for isolating particles from a biological fluid, including: obtaining a sample of biological fluid from a source (e.g. a patient) in which the sample contains particles of multiple sample particle types; tagging particles in the sample with tagging agents, including mixing the sample with a solution of magnetic tagging agents that selectively bind to particles of at least one of the sample particle types, thereby forming a group of tagged particles in the sample; passing the sample through a magnetic conduit having a magnetic field that interacts with at least some of the tagged particles; sorting the particles of the sample into multiple groups based on the interaction between the tagged particles and the magnetic field; and optionally returning selected portions of the processed fluid back to its source with or without the addition of appropriate therapeutic agents.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for isolating particles from a biological fluid, including: obtaining a sample of biological fluid from a source (e.g. a patient) in which the sample contains particles of multiple sample particle types; tagging particles in the sample with tagging agents, including mixing the sample with a solution of magnetic tagging agents that selectively bind to particles of at least one of the sample particle types, thereby forming a group of tagged particles in the sample; passing the sample through a magnetic conduit having a magnetic field that interacts with at least some of the tagged particles; sorting the particles of the sample into multiple groups based on the interaction between the tagged particles and the magnetic field; and optionally returning selected portions of the processed fluid back to its source with or without the addition of appropriate therapeutic agents.

Abstract: A microfluidic system for automatically depleting particles not of interest from a biological sample, comprising: a sampling module configured to receive the sample; and one or more microfluidic protein and nucleic acid depletion modules fluidically coupled to the sampling module and comprising binding agents configured to selectively bind to abundant plasma proteins or nucleic acids. A method for automatically depleting particles not of interest from a sample, comprising: receiving the sample; subjecting the sample to a force that separates at least a portion of the particles not of interest from the sample, thereby isolating at least a portion of the target component; passing the isolated target copmonent into a chamber; circulating the isolated target component in the chamber; and selectively capturing proteins or nucleic acids with binding agents within the chamber.

Abstract: A system for culturing cells and/or tissue includes a tissue/cell culture chamber including a tissue/cell culture membrane, at least one collapsible valve fluidly coupled with the tissue/cell culture chamber, a pump fluidly coupled with the tissue/cell culture chamber, and a flow loop including the pump, chamber, and collapsible valve fluidly coupled together.

Abstract: The invention provides a device and methods for separating and isolating cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for isolating particles from a biological fluid, including: obtaining a sample of biological fluid from a source (e.g. a patient) in which the sample contains particles of multiple sample particle types; tagging particles in the sample with tagging agents, including mixing the sample with a solution of magnetic tagging agents that selectively bind to particles of at least one of the sample particle types, thereby forming a group of tagged particles in the sample; passing the sample through a magnetic conduit having a magnetic field that interacts with at least some of the tagged particles; sorting the particles of the sample into multiple groups based on the interaction between the tagged particles and the magnetic field; and optionally returning selected portions of the processed fluid back to its source with or without the addition of appropriate therapeutic agents.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for isolating and identifying nucleated cells from biological samples using a microfluidic device.

Abstract: A microfluidic flow cytometry device includes a substrate and transverse electrodes formed on the substrate. An elastomer microfluidic focusing channel system formed on the substrate focuses a sample stream onto the floor of an outlet channel that is substantially wider and taller than cells or particles of interest and that has the transverse electrodes disposed in its floor upstream of an exit site. A step in the outlet channel upstream of the transverse electrodes vertically confines sample stream flow onto the floor of the outlet channel over the transverse electrodes. Buffer inlet channels introduce a buffer stream for horizontal focusing of the sample stream into the central region of the outlet channel at the transverse electrodes. A sample inlet channel is smaller in vertical height than the buffer inlet channels for introducing a sample stream such that the buffer vertically focuses the sample stream away from the top of the outlet channel.

Abstract: The invention features devices and methods for enriching a sample in one or more desired particles. An exemplary use of these devices and methods is for the enrichment of cells, e.g., white blood cells in a blood sample. In general, the methods of the invention employ a device that contains at least one sieve through which particles of a given size, shape, or deformability can pass. Devices of the invention have at least two outlets, and the sieve is placed such that a continuous flow of fluid can pass through the device without passing through the sieve. The devices also include a force generator for directing selected particles through the sieve. Such force generators employ, for example, diffusion, electrophoresis, dielectrophoresis, centrifugal force, or pressure-driven flow.